Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-01-30

explain my delay, pointed out what /
had noticed, saying that thought the
servants must have substituted some
inferior article of their own for good wax
candles, either from carelessness or dis
honesty.
.The seryants never meddle with my
caudlesticks," said Edith, languidly.
..They are not sent down to the kitched; I;
but when they want refilling Mrs. Nor
rell puts fresh ones in here. She keeps
them in that cupboard; look, and you'll
see."
l Iopened the cupboard for the first
time-for never had occasioa to go to
it beforehand there, sure enough were
three or four wooden boxes, which
proved to be full of wax candles, thirty
pounds weight at least. Before I closed
the door again Mrs. Morrell entered the
room. l fancied that her face changed
and she turned pale as she saw me stand
ing by the cupboard; but if so she quick
ly recovered, and when made remark
about there beng large stock of can
dies, composedly answered.: "1es; she
found it best to keep plenty ready at
hand, SO as not to have to disturb dear
Edith by leaving the room to search for
lights in the middle of the night"
/ made no further remark. as som p
thing warned me it was better to say no
more. SO opened my book aad began
to read.
The next morning. as was on my
way to the invalio's room about III
o'clock, became aware of high voices
| in the hall and came upon Mrs. Morrell
aud the housemaid Jane engaged in an
alteration. Jane, who was generally a
civil and obliging girl, vas flushed with
anger, while her mistress was paler than
usual.
"Very well, then. ma'am, Ill go some
where else, where l shan't be called to
account for every paltry bit of candle,
said the housemaid, as l approached.
| "You know perfectly well that it is
not the candle l care about, but the
disobedience of my express orders, Jane.
A month to-day you leave my service
"I'll go to-day, a'am; l don't care II
do lose a months wages, returned the
girl. independently.
"Very well. You need never refer TO
me for character" said Mrs. Morreil,
biting her lips, as she followed me to
Edith's room. She said nothing to me
in explanation beyond merely stating
that Jane had been very impeftnent.
/ found Edith in terribly PROSTATE
condition, and could see that Df. Ste
vens, when he came, had very little hope.
watched Mrs. Morrell as she hung over
invalid, and wondered whether ought
not to believe that she was the most
tender, loving and devoted OF nurses;
for 1 really thought that Dr.. Archer
might be mistaken after all, and that
her guardians were as anxious for her
welfare as I was. She herself evidently
realized her danger, for she asked to
have the Bible read to hr, and would
insist in pressing a valuable diamond
ring upon me as keepsake. My gentle
little friend had so won my heart by her
unvarying sweetness. that / could not
restrain my tears. and retreated to my
own room. where could give free vent
to my feelings.
By and by knock came at my door,
and opening it confronted Jane in has
and jacket, ready for departure.
you've always treated me well, Miss
and thought before go I'd like to tell
you why I'm turned out like thief.
without a character after being here
three years." began the girl, in honest
Indignation. "Mrs. Morrell's sure to
take care you hear her story; SO, If you
please you shall have mine tirst!''
''But I would rather not. You know
am not my own mistress here. Mrs.
Morrell might not like"
"Oh, but, please Miss, do listen. LIS
all On account of the candlesticks in Miss
Eiith's room. You know, Miss. Mrs.
Morrell never let's us servants touch
them-.hey never go down to the kitch-
en-. But this morning when went in
at to see to the fire, noticed that one
candle had been guttering awfully, and
the wax had run down the sides and
made such a mess as you never saw !.
Mrs. Morrell wasn't there, and Miss
Filth was asleep; so took the candle
stick down with me to clean it. meaning
no harm. But had the breakfast to
get ready, and to tell you the truth, Miss
Armitage, 1 forgot about it. By and by
Mrs. Morrell came down stairs. looking
reg'lar pale, and wanting to know who
took one of the candlesticks away out of
Miss Edith's room. said had. Then
Mrs. Morreu went on at me awful, and
wanted to know how l dared do such a
thing, and l was to bring it back at
once. Sarah had washed it; but when
We came to look for the piece OF candle
that was in it, nowhere could We find it.
l suspect Sarah threw it into the fire.
l told Mrs. Morrell it was only little
piece, not SO long as nv finger. But if
you'll believe me, Miss Armitage, she
made as much fuss over losing that pal
try bit of candle-end as some folks would
over q diamond necklace. l really
didn't think missus was so mean. 1 sup.
pose my temper got up, and when she
said was impertinent and should leave.
told her I'd go to day"
81 fear you have been foolish and
hasty. Jane, l said reprovingly.
But she went on: The queerest thing
of all, Miss Armitage, is that when Mrs.
Morrell first came into the kitchen she
was as white as a sheet, should have
said she was frightened-only it seems
ridiculous that any lady should ever be
afraid of losing candle-end! 1 can't
make it out at all, Miss. She is always
so mortally stingy of those candles of
Miss Edith's. Do you know is there
anything about them. Miss, that makes
them more valuable than other can
dies ?"
s.Not that l am aware Of.
swell, really. do you know, Miss,
I've sometimes thought there must be
something odd about them." said Jare,
turning TO 60. l know. for one thing,
they're not bought with the rest from
the grocer at Bsecham, but como all til e
way from London; so perhaps that's why
Mrs. Morrell sets sdch store by them.
And now. Miss. I'll say gooi.by."
l gave the honest girl little silk
handkerchief as a parting gift and sat
down to ruminate on what / had just
heard. A drowning man clutches at a
straw, and in my terrible distress OF mind
l was ready to clutch at any theory,
however absurd, for solving the mystery
of Edith's illness. James casual remark
anout there beinu somethino auear ahont